At the UNESCO Office in Beirut, the president of the Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD), Sylvana Lakkis, addressed cultural professionals while turning her back to them.
This communication approach was chosen during a one-day workshop organized by UNESCO Beirut and conducted by the Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD) on “The Rights of People with Disabilities (PWD) to Participate and Enjoy Cultural Life.” Through this unusual method, Sylvana wished to convey how PWD feel the Lebanese society responds to their needs.
The workshop was a significant step towards cultural inclusivity. It was organized within the framework of the UNESCO Project Promotion of cultural rights through the provision of support to the revival of cultural industries and creativity for artists in Lebanon funded by the Heritage Emergency Fund.
The aim was to showcase and discuss the marginalization and everyday challenges faced by PWD including accessing and participating in cultural life. It also sought to provide a critical view of the often-negative way PWD are depicted by the film industry thus exasperating already established stereotypes.
While the program included initial discussions on the tools needed to integrate the rights of disabled individuals into cultural projects and activities, these tools and needs are to be further explored with practical examples to achieve tangible results towards a more inclusive cultural sector in Lebanon. Participants highlighted that, in a country lacking accessible cultural spaces, issues cannot be solved all at once, but they committed to taking steps to improve the sector's inclusivity.
Participants renewed their commitment to inclusivity. Metropolis Cinema team reflected, “The program was very enriching and provided the team with real insights into the experiences of people with disabilities in Lebanon .” They continued, “We delved deep into the discrimination they face, and the societal image people have of them. These insights will be invaluable as Metropolis works to better organize its events and ensure that inclusivity is respected.”
Another participant, Ghiwa El Haiby from Zoukak Theatre, shared, “The workshop made me think about so many ideas for our theatre space to be inclusive but also about our content making”.
Alaa Fleifel found the workshop to be “super educational.” Fleifel was impressed by the open and comfortable environment, stating, “I was impressed by how comfortable I felt around the topic of disability during the workshop. We were able to discuss pretty much anything.”
Hopefully, this workshop is just the beginning of a larger movement to ensure that cultural projects and events in Lebanon are accessible and inclusive. Join us in this journey of transformation and be a part of the change. Together, we can create a more inclusive society where culture is a right enjoyed equally by all.
This activity is supported by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund.
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